Santa Cruz Mountains

5 Great Maps of the 5 Best Riding Areas from San Francisco to Santa Cruz.
Each BikeMapDude Map Pack comes in a clear plastic pouch holding five individual maps. Each single-fold color map is printed on water- and sweat-proof laminated paper on one side, with two featured rides per map with detailed descriptions and on-map route markers on the other.

Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space — North

(includes El Corte Madera and Purisima Creek) Great riding in redwood forests easily accessible from San Francisco and San Mateo County.
Best For: Intermediates and Advanced riders
Suitable For: Intermediates and better.
Ground Cover: Dense Redwood Forest.
Season: Good year round.

Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space - Central

Great riding for athletic beginners in mixed terrain..
Best For: Beginners.
Suitable For: Beginners and Intermediates.
Ground Cover: Open, grassy hilltops, wooded hillsides and canyons.
Seasons: Good year round. Exceptional in spring (wildflowers) Some trails closed in winter.

Mid-Peninsula Regional Open Space - South

Great intermediate level riding. Scenic grasslands and forests. Lots of wildlife.
Best For: Intermediates.
Suitable For: All levels except extreme.
Ground Cover: Open, grassy hilltops, wooded hillsides and canyons.
Seasons: Good year round. Exceptional in spring (wildflowers). Some trails closed in winter.

Wilder Ranch

A state park just north of Santa Cruz Wilder Ranch features ocean vistas, rolling grasslands, redwood forests and gobs of singletrack. Includes over 30 miles of trails ideal for intermediates or advanced riders out for a cruise.
Best For: Intermediates.
Suitable For: All levels except extreme.
Ground Cover: Mostly open grasslands and wooded canyons.
Seasons: Good year round. Exceptional in spring (wildflowers) Some trails closed intermittently in winter

Forest of the Nisene Marks/Soquel Demonstration Forest

Contiguous areas just east of Santa Cruz, both feature rides through dense evergreen forests. Nisene Marks features one long fire-road, while Soquel Forest features a number of technical singletrack options.
Best For: Intermediates to Advanced.
Suitable For: Nisene Marks – all levels, Soquel Forest – Intermediates to advanced.
Ground Cover: Evergreen forest.
Seasons: Good year round. Cool riding in summer